raise
gb/ɹˈeɪz/ us/ɹˈeɪz/
A2
English
~ 600
Senses
0 senses
Verb
A2
action
1
Lift something upward
To move something up to a higher place.
Usage pattern:
to raise [something] [up/into/above something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'raise' (needs an object) with 'rise' (does not take an object). For example, 'I raise early' is incorrect; it should be 'I rise early'.
Synonyms
lift (General term for moving something upward physically.)
Antonyms
lower (Means to move something downward in position.)
Collocations
raise your hand
|raise the flag
|raise the roof
|raise eyebrows
Themes
daily life
|physical actions
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Please raise your hand if you know the answer.
- They raised the flag at sunrise.
- She raised the box onto the shelf.
- The workers raised the heavy beam into place.
Learner examples
- Raise your hand if you want to speak.
- He raised the chair onto the table.
- The boy raised the ball over his head.
- Please raise the window a little.
Verb
B1
action
2
Increase a value or level
To make a number, price, or level go up.
Usage pattern:
to raise [prices/salary/temperature/etc.]
Common mistake:
Some learners mistakenly use 'rise' instead of 'raise' when talking about causing an increase. Example: 'They will rise prices' is incorrect; it should be 'They will raise prices'.
Synonyms
increase (General term for making something larger in amount or degree.)
Antonyms
reduce (Means to make something smaller in amount or level.)
Collocations
raise prices
|raise taxes
|raise wages
|raise interest rates
Themes
business
|economics
|core_vocabulary
|science
Examples
- The company plans to raise prices next year.
- They raised the temperature in the room.
- We need to raise our standards of service.
- The government raised taxes on cigarettes.
Learner examples
- The store will raise prices next month.
- They raised the rent for the apartment.
- We must raise the speed limit here.
- They raised the temperature in the house.
Verb
A2
action
3
Bring up a child or animal
To take care of and teach a child or animal until grown up.
Usage pattern:
to raise [a child/children/animal]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'raise' with 'rise'; 'I rise my children' is incorrect; it should be 'I raise my children'.
Synonyms
bring up (Common phrase for caring for children during their upbringing.)
Antonyms
neglect (Failing to care for someone who needs it.)
Collocations
raise a family
|raise children
|raise cattle
|raise pets
Themes
family
|daily life
|daily_life
|relationships
|animals
Examples
- They raised three children together.
- She was raised by her grandparents.
- The farmer raises chickens and goats.
- He raised his daughter alone after his wife died.
Learner examples
- My parents raised me in a small town.
- They raise cows on their farm.
- She raised her son with love.
- He was raised by his aunt.
Verb
B1
action
4
Collect money for something
To get money from people for something special, like helping others or starting a project.
Usage pattern:
to raise [money/funds] for [something]
Synonyms
collect (General term for gathering money from various sources.)
Collocations
raise money for charity
|raise funds for research
|raise capital
Themes
business
|charity
|finance
|daily_life
Examples
- They raised $10,000 for the hospital.
- We are raising funds to build a new school.
- The organization raises money to help homeless people.
Learner examples
- We want to raise money for sick children.
- They raised money for the new library.
- She raised funds to help poor families.
Verb
B2
action
5
Introduce a topic or issue
To start talking about a new subject or problem.
Usage pattern:
to raise [a question/an issue/a concern]
Synonyms
bring up (Common and slightly less formal term for introducing a subject.)
Collocations
raise a question
|raise concerns
|raise an issue
Themes
communication
|education
|business
Examples
- She raised an important question during the meeting.
- The report raises concerns about safety standards.
- He raised the issue of parking shortages.
Learner examples
- I want to raise a question about this plan.
- He raised an issue about the cost.
- She raised concerns about the food quality.
Noun
A2
entity
6
Increase in pay at work
More money you get for your work than before.
Synonyms
pay increase (A neutral term often used formally in workplace contexts.)
Antonyms
pay cut (A reduction in salary or wages.)
Collocations
get a raise
|ask for a raise
|deserve a raise
Themes
business
|employment
|work
|finance
Examples
- I got a raise after my performance review.
- She asked her boss for a raise.
- He's hoping for a big raise this year.
Learner examples
- She got a raise last month.
- He asked for a raise at work.
- I hope I get a raise soon.
Grammar
Dictionary form
raise
IPA
GB/ɹˈeɪz/
US/ɹˈeɪz/
Syllables & stress
raise (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (raise)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: raise
- Plural: raises
Verb
- Base: raise
- 3rd Person Singular: raises
- Present Participle: raising
- Past: raised
Word family
Expressions
raise one's voice
1/ɹˈeɪz wˈʌnz vˈɔɪs/
fixed phrase
Speak louder than usual, often angrily
To talk louder than normal, often because you are angry or want to be heard clearly.
Examples
- Don't raise your voice at me!
- He had to raise his voice so everyone could hear him over the noise.
raise the bar
1/ɹˈeɪz ðə bˈɑɹ/
idiom
Set higher standards or expectations
To make people work to meet better and harder goals than before.
Examples
- The new smartphone has raised the bar for design and performance.
- Her performance in the role has really raised the bar for future actors.
raise awareness
1/ɹˈeɪz əwˈɛɹnəs/
fixed phrase
Make more people know about something important
To help more people know and think about an important subject or problem.
Examples
- The campaign aims to raise awareness about climate change.
- The charity works to raise awareness about mental health issues.
- We organized an event to raise awareness of mental health issues.
- We organized a march to raise awareness of climate change.
raise eyebrows
1/ɹˈeɪz ˈaɪbɹˌaʊz/
idiom
Cause surprise or disapproval
To make people feel surprised or not approve of something you do.
Examples
- Her sudden resignation raised eyebrows among her colleagues.
- The politician's comment raised eyebrows across the country.
- Wearing shorts to the formal dinner raised some eyebrows.
- Her sudden resignation raised a few eyebrows in the office.
raise hell
1/ɹˈeɪz hˈɛl/
idiom
informal
Cause loud trouble or protest strongly
To make a lot of noise and trouble because you are angry or excited.
Examples
- The crowd raised hell after the referee's bad call.
- He'll raise hell if they try to fire him.
raise hell
2/ɹˈeɪz hˈɛl/
idiom
informal
cause trouble or disturbance
To make trouble, protest loudly, or create a noisy disturbance.
Examples
- The fans raised hell after their team lost.
- He’ll raise hell if he finds out what happened.